National Biosafety Authority urged to step up its communication efforts on GMOs [Video]

Fellow at the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center of the North Carolina State University, Joseph Opoku Gakpo is urging Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to step up its communications efforts on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Speaking at a webinar organised by the Africa Genetic Biocontrol Consortium on “gaps, challenges, and innovations in science communication”, he said recent media reports in which some stakeholders condemned the approval of 14 genetically engineered products in the country could have been avoided through proactive communication.

A report by the United States Department for Agriculture published last month disclosed the authority has approved 14 new GMOs including eight corn events and six soybean events.

The report drew backlash from some groups including the Peasant Farmers Association, Ghana Agricultural Workers Union, Ghana Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (GJESHA), and the Centre for Climate Change and Food Security (CCCFS), among others.

The Peasant Farmers …